26 minute read
SOFTBALL
QUIETLY BIG
How to Show Confidence Without Raising Your Voice
By Ray Burwell
As I’ve grown over the years, I actually look back at early times in my career and laugh. Many times, when enforcing rules, “winning” discussions and when the inevitable ejection occurred, I simply got louder. Today, that is no longer the case. Yes, there are times when we need to be loud. There are times when we have to be that umpire and enforce something no one likes to, or for that matter, wants to.
Those times are few and far between, but a notable example of being quietly big is checking rosin bags to begin the game. A quick check of the bag prior to the inning starting lets us know it is legal, and if we determine an illegal substance is being used it’s a quick and easy fix to remove at that time. Often, I’ll have
It is important for umpires to convey confidence while on the field. Body language goes much farther than being boisterous to show that confidence.
Reggie Johnson, Tacoma, Wash.
pitchers bring them to me and have me check them on their way to the circle. Unfortunately, there has been a time or two when the pitcher, the coach or the parent in the stands doesn’t understand the rule. Those are the times when we just have to be big and remove the foreign substance.
What exactly does being quietly big mean? I’m grateful for the recent change in the NFHS jewelry rule, but we have had to enforce players not wearing jewelry for years. A few years ago, I began asking the coach to identify the team leader. I will go to that player and simply ask her to check her team for jewelry so we do not have to address it during the game. I’ve never had a player tell me no, and usually they look forward to it. I actually had a player at the collegiate level (I had called many of her high school games) come up to me and smile, tug on her earring and say, “I can wear them here!”
Being quietly big has a lot to do with being aware of the game. Understand when a pitcher or catcher, while batting, has safely achieved a base and glance to the coach to see if time will be requested for a courtesy runner or pinch runner. A simple look of acknowledgement can keep the coach from having to holler to request time. It’s a small thing, but how often have we seen a coach have to request multiple times due to the umpire failing to even realize the coach is trying to get his or her attention?
Awareness of the game also helps us when a conference may be about to happen. When the pitcher has walked a couple of batters, chances are the coach may want a conference. We often see an umpire take out the plate brush and start cleaning the plate while the coach is exasperatedly trying to get said umpire’s attention.
Being comfortable making changes on your lineup card, having an indicator you are not constantly looking at and using ball bags that will hold your gear so you aren’t fighting with them are all small things that can not only make us more proficient, they also help ensure we aren’t drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves. Nothing is more irritating to a fan base on a time limit than seeing umpires struggle to find a pen, dig around and take what they deem to be forever when writing down a conference or a lineup change.
Sometimes a coach approaches even when you’re doing everything right. You’ve got a great game going, game aware, great positioning and you just nailed a perfect call. But sure enough, here comes the coach and he’s not happy. A good friend and I discussed this response, and I’ve actually used it a time or two: “Hey coach, did you have a substitution for me?”
The misdirect with the question can at times cause him to forget why he’s even out there. It may not be the best approach to take, but is most definitely a far better approach than loudly stating, “That’s a judgment call, coach! Get back to your dugout!” It is also a better approach than “appeasing” the coach by going to your partner every time the coach disagrees with you.
When we have enforcement of a rule that only happens once in a blue moon, that’s the time to find that team leader. “Hey catcher, can you help me speed up your team between innings?” goes a lot farther than hollering out to the coach to hurry up between innings. The catcher will often even take it to heart and it becomes her responsibility to hustle her team up. Building a solid working relationship is vital. While we don’t want to ever make it a full-on conversation with players, sometimes a few words get their attention and will allow us to fix small issues. “Hey, 21, can you make sure coach remembers to keep the bucket in the dugout?” Again, small things that, when taken care of quietly and collectively, become big.
Let’s not forget the ejection. Occasionally, we do have to remove a player or disqualify a coach from continuing to participate in the game. It is at this point we have two options. We can calmly address it with a coach. Let them be the purveyor of bad news to the player. I had one last year when a catcher did not like the strike zone. She turned to me and dropped a not-so-nice four-letter word on a ball
See “Quietly Big” p.47
QUICKTIP
Umpires should draw as little attention to themselves as possible. It helps to avoid being a walking billboard. Use a
Sharpie or black spray paint to black out any company logos on your mask and buy all-black shoes. Use a
TOOLS
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THEY SAID IT
“The slight difference between them is an appellate judge gets to sit back and think, evaluate, assess, and can take time to make a decision. An umpire has to see what happens on the field, react to it on the field, and make an immediate pronouncement. We’re expected to be perfect on day one and only get better each game afterward.” –University of New Haven professor Brian A. professor Brian A. Marks, who has Marks, who has also been a softball umpire softball umpire for nearly 50 for nearly 50 years, describing years, describing the difference the difference between judges between judges and umpires. and umpires.
SOURCE: NEWHAVEN.EDU
TEST YOURSELF Stay Wary of
Each of the following includes a situation and possible answer(s). Decide which are correct for USA, NFHS, NCAA or USSSA rules and which might vary. Solutions: p. 85.
1. At the pregame conference, the home head coach presents a lineup card with the DP listed in the fourth spot in the batting order and the pitcher listed in the Flex position. After the cards have been exchanged and verified, the home head coach announces the DP is going to pitch. a. Legal. The team drops to nine players. b. Legal. The team drops to nine players and a substitution is charged to the player in the Flex position. c. Legal. The home team loses the right to use the DP/Flex option for the remainder of the game. d. Illegal. Once accepted by the plate umpire, no changes may be made to the lineups until a pitch is thrown, unless there is an injury. e. Illegal. The player listed as the pitcher on the lineup card verified by the plate umpire must throw to at least one batter.
2. With R1 on first and one out, B3 hits a ground ball sharply to right field. R1 touches second and tries to advance to third base. F9 charges the ball, picks it up and throws to third base. The throw hits R1 in the back of the helmet. The ball ricochets off R1’s helmet and rolls out of play. At the time of the throw, B1 had not yet reached first base and B1 was between first and second when the ball rolled out of play. a. R1 is ruled out for interference and B1 is awarded first base. b. R1 is awarded third base and B1 is awarded second base. c. R1 is awarded home and B1 is awarded second base. d. R1 is awarded home and B1 is awarded first base.
3. B1 hits a ball off the plate that bounces high into the air. B1 drops the bat next to the plate, in fair territory, and starts running toward first. F2 allows the ball to drop to the ground, where it strikes B1’s bat, now lying motionless in fair territory. The ball then rolls into foul territory, where F2 picks it up and fires it to F3 standing on the bag. F3 catches the ball just before B1 reaches the base. a. The ball is dead and B1 is out. b. The ball remains live and B1 is ruled out at first base. c. The ball is ruled foul once F2 touches it in foul territory and B1 returns to bat with a strike added to the count.
Catch and Carry
While it would be ideal to always umpire in fully enclosed stadiums with fully enclosed dugouts, those opportunities are few and far between. Most high schools, parks and even college facilities utilize out-of-play lines and feature dugouts with multiple openings. When working in these facilities, it is important to understand the rules surrounding catch-and-carry situations. Even if you are working in a pristine, state-of-the-art stadium, there are still opportunities to have catch-and-carry situations. Here are some tips to nailing these situations when they arise.
Know the Rules
Three of the four codes agree on what constitutes a catch-and-carry situation. In NFHS, NCAA and USA Softball, it is easy to remember a fielder is considered out of play the moment an entire foot makes contact with dead-ball territory or the fielder falls into dead-ball territory (NFHS 5-1-1i; NCAA 9.4 Notes; USA Softball 1-Catch/No Catch). As long as a fielder’s feet are in contact with liveball territory, including the out-ofplay line, or a foot is in the air, the fielder has not left live-ball territory. As soon as an entire foot is in contact with dead-ball territory, the ball is now dead and an award must be given. In USSSA, both feet must leave live-ball territory or the fielder must fall into dead-ball territory in order to have a dead ball (USSSA 10-1i).
All codes agree runners are awarded one base from the last base legally touched at the moment the fielder enters dead-ball territory. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first is if the ball is a legally caught fly ball, the batter is out and is not awarded any bases. The second exception is if the fielder intentionally carries the ball into dead-ball territory. In that case all runners are awarded two bases (NFHS 8-4-3i; NCAA 9.4 Eff.; USA Softball 8-5k Eff.; USSSA 10-1i Note).
See “Catch and Carry” p.48
QUIETLY BIG
continued from p.49 four with the bases loaded. I waited until the run scored, called time and approached her coach. I said, “Coach, I’m removing your catcher for use of profanity toward an official. I need a replacement player please.” He looked at me a bit shocked, asked what she said and I told him. He turned to the bench, pointed at another player and told her to gear up. Then he went to his catcher and informed her she was no longer allowed to participate. I’m not saying it was the best way or the only way. I’m saying I quietly took care of business in a big way. We cannot allow the players to dictate behavior like that.
I learn as much as I can from each umpire I work with, and I’ve used quite a bit of it over the last several seasons. A couple of seasons ago I was working a game together with someone I’d never worked. It was at a preseason tournament using threeperson mechanics, and we pregamed for several minutes beforehand. This game sticks out because we had two pretty good teams, three pretty decent umpires and good weather conditions. In all likelihood, this was a game that would take care of itself. Lo and behold, during the middle innings, one of the specific things we went over happened. U1 chased a ball to the outfield, I as U3 came across the diamond and the plate umpire came up the line. We had an attempted diving catch in right field, a throw to first base and it was a banger of a play.
I was probably as pumped up as the team was as the plate umpire rang up the out on the appeal at first
base for leaving early. Why? Because the three of us had talked about this situation, it had occurred and all three of us were doing exactly what we were supposed to do. Perfectly executed by the third team on the field. And what could the first-base coach say? We were all quietly big. Ray Burwell, Pea Ridge, Ark., is an NCAA D-I umpire. He has worked multiple state high school championships as well as multiple USSSA national championships. He serves as a UIC for USSSA Nationals. He is the co-founder and coordinator of the NWA Umpire Academy and is a contributor to the book Umpire Mentors. *
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CASEPLAYS
Two Defensive Conferences
Play: In the bottom of the seventh inning with a tie score, B2 comes to bat with the winning run (R2) on second base. The defensive coach holds a charged conference with the pitcher to discuss strategy. On the first pitch, the ball gets by the catcher and R2 advances to third. The defensive coach requests to have another conference at the pitcher’s circle. Ruling: In NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA, it is legal, provided the defensive team still has remaining defensive conferences (NFHS 3-7-1; USA Softball 5-7b; USSSA 4-8a). In NCAA, it is not permissible to hold two defensive conferences between a team representative and a player in the same halfinning, unless there is a pitching change. The umpire should not allow the conference to take place and if it does, the team representative shall be ejected, but there is no penalty to the pitcher (6.12.7.1 and Eff.).
Batter Leaves Ready Position
Play: As F1 releases the pitch, B1 steps completely out of the batter’s box. Ruling: In NFHS and USSSA, the umpire will call a strike regardless of the location of the pitch (NFHS 7-3-1 Eff. 2, 7.3.1B; USSSA 7.8 Pen.). In NCAA and USA Softball, the umpire will call the pitch a ball or strike according to the actual location of the pitch (NCAA 11.2.2 Eff.; USA Softball 7-3f Eff. 2).
Safe or Out?
Play: With R1 on first and one out, B3 hits a fly ball to center field that’s caught by F8. R1, nearly halfway to second, must return to first base. F8’s throw is offline, but F3 catches the ball in her glove and, while falling toward first, tags the base with her throwing hand just before R1 slides into first. Ruling: R1 is out in all codes. On a force out at a base, a fielder possessing the ball just needs to make contact with the base to record an out. However, a runner off base must be tagged by the ball or by the fielder’s glove with the ball inside the glove (NFHS 8-6-3; NCAA 12.9.1.1.2; USA Softball 8-7c; USSSA 8-18m). CATCH AND CARRY
continued from p.46
There are a couple of areas where this rule can get tricky. One is dealing with collapsible fences. NFHS, NCAA and USSSA rules do not allow a player to stand on a fence that has fallen over and is lying on the ground beyond its original plane (NFHS 2-94; NCAA 9.3.7; USSSA 3-Catch). In USA Softball, as long as the player is still in contact with the fence and the player is not touching anything beyond the fence, it is legal to stand on said fence and make a catch (R/S 20).
In all codes, a player may jump in the air, catch a ball and then land in dead-ball territory. This includes going over or through a fence. In these instances, the ball is legally caught and the batter is out. However, once the fielder contacts dead-ball territory, the ball is dead and runners are advanced one base from the last base they legally touched.
Walk the Facility Pregame
It is vitally important to always walk the field prior to a game or tournament. If you are working the same field multiple games or days in a row, it is not necessary to walk the field before each game as playing conditions most likely have not changed from game to game. However, just because you worked a facility earlier in the year does not mean you don’t need to walk that same facility later in the year. With changing weather and facility management, there could be the potential for different holes in a fence, out-of-play lines, etc., you need to understand. Always walk the facility as a crew so you know what you are in for that game. Collapsible fences, out-of-play lines, dugout entrances, fence openings, etc., should all be checked pregame and the crew should talk about what to do in cases of players going over or through those fences, openings or lines.
Discuss Ground Rules
It is extremely important to discuss ground rules during the pregame meeting with coaches. When dealing with collapsible fences and dugout openings, it is vital to make sure all umpires and coaches are in agreement on what is considered live-ball and dead-ball territory. This way, you can be consistent when ruling on potential catch-and-carry situations. Coaches will also relay that information to their players. On fields where there may be stairs that go down to the dugouts, coaches and umpires need to know where live-ball territory ends (are you determining the top step to be in play or out of play?). Remember to take player safety into account when determining the ground rules.
Chase
Any time there is a ball near an out-of-play area, an umpire, if available, should provide coverage. In the two-umpire system, and in some limited situations in the threeumpire system, this is not possible. However, if there is a fly ball near a fence or out-of-play area and it is in an umpire’s chase area, that umpire should go. These situations can be extremely difficult for a plate umpire to determine from potentially 200 feet away. There is much more credibility when an umpire chases and can get a better angle and view of the play. The key to getting this call right is making sure you come set and watch the play. If you are moving during the catch, you may miss the feet and whether or not they were in live- or dead-ball territory during and immediately after the catch. Watch the play to conclusion before signaling. Make sure the fielder indeed caught the ball and then focus on the feet to make sure they remain in live-ball territory. It is better to give the dead-ball signal late than rush and accidentally kill the play when the fielder never left live-ball territory.
Catch-and-carry situations happen quite frequently and it is important for all umpires on a crew to be cognizant of them. Any time you work on a field with collapsible fences or multiple out-of-play lines, your antennas should be up. Be ready for them and then confidently rule on them when they happen. *
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THE HARDEST RULES
(DP)/Flex Your Muscle
By Brad Tittrington
The DP/Flex rule has been around for over two decades. Yet it continues to be one of the most talked about rules and one of the most difficult to understand, especially for new umpires.
In theory, the rule was designed to allow coaches more flexibility with the lineup and get more players involved in the game. However, in practice, it causes a lot of confusion with coaches and umpires alike. This particular article is going to focus on games using nine position players and a DP/Flex. While some codes allow extra hitters, for the sake of simplicity, this article will not explore that avenue. Here are some tips and techniques, followed by some caseplays, to help break down the DP/Flex rule.
Make a list and check it twice.
When coaches hand you a lineup card at the pregame conference, double check it. It is rare in today’s game to have a coach not use the DP/Flex. If you notice only nine players listed in the starting lineup, check with the coach to make sure that coach understands the DP/ Flex must be listed to start the game in order to be used in the game. If the coach says there is no DP being used, that is fine, move on. If the coach simply forgot to list the DP/ Flex on the lineup, allow the coach to make a change to the lineup. You have not yet accepted the lineup card and made it official, so there is no penalty for making the change. It is better to double check and make sure during the pregame then to realize an error once the game starts.
Highlight the DP/Flex on the
lineup card. The DP and Flex are often referred to as twins. One way to always make sure you know which spots in the lineup are connected is to highlight the player in the DP position and the Flex position. This way, you can quickly look at your lineup card any time a coach wants to make a change involving those two players and you can make sure the change is legal.
Study the rule yearly. While the DP/Flex rule hasn’t changed much in the past two decades, it is necessary to have a refresher course on the intricacies of the rule before each season. Lineup card management separates the great umpires from the good ones and knowing the DP/Flex rule inside and out is key to being a good lineup card manager.
Know what the twins can and
cannot do. In a lot of games, a coach is going to use the DP/Flex similarly to how a baseball coach uses a designated hitter. A coach may have a really good defensive player who simply can’t hit, yet has a really good offensive player who may be lacking in the fielding department. In that case, the coach will have the good hitter bat (DP) and have the defensive player simply play defense and never hit (Flex).
However, this is not always the case. Coaches are being more clever on how they utilize this position and they don’t simply use it as a straight designated hitter. We will break that down more with some caseplays at the end of the article, but let’s focus on what each player can and cannot do.
First, remember that both the DP and Flex are starting players. Both have reentry rights and there are only certain instances when they have officially left the game. The easiest thing to remember about dealing with the two players on offense is they both share a spot in the batting order. Whichever spot the DP is listed in the batting order handed to the plate umpire during the pregame conference is the only spot the DP and Flex may play offensively. If the Flex plays offense, it may only be for the DP and the DP has left the game and the team has dropped to nine players. The DP may go back in offensively, and then the team is back to 10 players.
On the defensive side, it is a bit more complicated and coaches have more flexibility. Think of each of the 10 positions listed on the lineup card as a defensive position. If the DP goes in to play defense for the Flex, the Flex has left the game and the team has dropped to nine players. The Flex may come back into the game to play defense again and the team can go back to 10 players. Otherwise, those 10 “defensive” positions can be moved about and no player has left the game. If the DP plays defense for someone other than the Flex, that player is still in the game offensively, but is no longer playing defense (known as the OP, offensive player, in NCAA). Some umpires refer to this person as the “temporary DP.” That terminology is technically incorrect and can add some confusion and should be avoided. The Flex is tied to the DP, so if you call someone the temporary DP, it would imply the Flex is tied to that player, which they are not. This is why it is important to know which player is listed as the DP on the lineup card as that position is the DP position for the game, regardless of which player is playing offense only.
Just remember, the DP may never only play defense and the Flex may never only play offense. If the DP is in the game, the DP must be on offense. If the Flex is in the game, the Flex must be playing defense.
SEE FEATURE ON PAGE 16
Substitutions are allowed for
both the DP and Flex. A coach may use any eligible substitute to play
for the DP or Flex. The DP or Flex has now left the game. Provided neither has been substituted for yet, they would be allowed to come back into the game as they have reentry rights. Once the DP or Flex has been removed twice, that player is no longer eligible to play, however other players may continue to substitute in to those positions.
Practice lineup card
management. If you are struggling to get a handle on making lineup changes while dealing with the DP/ Flex, create a lineup (as shown in the PlayPic) and come up with scenarios utilizing both of those positions. Then practice making those changes on the lineup card. The rule is one of those you need to see visually to make it easier to understand. And practice makes perfect.
Play 1: At the pregame conference, after the lineups have been exchanged and verified, the home coach tells the plate umpire the DP is going to pitch for the Flex. Ruling 1: Legal. The team will drop to nine players, the Flex has left the game one time and has one reentry remaining.
Play 2: Adams is listed in the first spot in the batting order and is playing second base. Baker is listed in the second spot as the DP. Jones is listed in the Flex position and is pitching. In the third inning, the coach tells the plate umpire Baker is going to play second base. Ruling 2: Legal. In this situation, the team stays at 10 players, Adams becomes offensive only (OP in NCAA) and no substitution has occurred.
Play 3: After making the change to the lineup as in Play 2 above, Adams hits a single. The coach approaches the plate umpire and wishes to have Jones run for Adams. Ruling 3: Illegal. Even though Adams is now offensive only, Adams is not the DP. Adams may only enter the game offensively in Baker’s position.
Play 4: Same lineup scenario as in Play 2. Baker leads off the inning with a single. The coach asks to put Jones in to run for Baker. In the next half inning, after one pitch, the offensive coach approaches the umpire and says there is an unreported substitute since the opposing coach did not reenter Baker. Ruling 4: No penalty. Jones ran for Baker and Baker is no longer in the game. The coach does not need to reenter Baker unless Baker comes back to bat the next time her spot in the lineup comes up.
No. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Player 19 6 T. Harris 17 4 S. Able 20 8 E. Thomas 24 7 P. Jones 15 3 C. Alexander 22 2 M. Moore 25 DP A. Cooper 7 5 M. Morris 3 9 S. Rodgers 18 1 T. Brown (FLEX)12 13 14
Substitutes V. Howell S. Baker N. Smith M. Green
Subs
No. 10 4 6 55
Pos.
P C
Defensive Conferences Home 1 2 3 4 Visitors 1 2 3 4 Courtesy Runner. No.
Any time a coach makes a change to the lineup that involves the DP/Flex, take your time and make sure the change is legal. An issue with the DP/Flex can lead to anything from
an inaccurate lineup card to an illegal player and can cause major headaches. Steven Thompson, Huntington Beach, Calif.
The coach can also choose to leave Jones in that spot or enter another substitute. The coach does not have to reenter the DP until the DP bats again. Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates women’s college and high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football. *
